When I learned that the fabled exploits of Herbie Popnecker were finally going to be reprinted, I rushed to place my order for the first two volumes, and was not dissatisfied.

But somehow, I neglected to order the concluding third volume for almost a year. It arrived this week, bringing more pure comics weirdness. It's hard to convey the essence of Herbie, but just check out the sloppy scan below.

Herbie goes time-traveling to the era of the Pilgrims and meets--Beatnik Indians!

Think of the brain that could conceive of Beatnik Indians--and stand in awe! (Click image to enlarge.)

As we observed in this prior post on Harvey Comics, the stories told about Richie Rich, Casper and the gang were frequently weirder than any Grant Morrison or Warren Ellis tale. Here's one from Devil Kids Starring Hot Stuff, Volume 1, Number 6, May 1963, that illustrates my point. You can read the entire five-page story at the end, but I've included some single panels to make my points.

First, we learn that Cupid inhabits the same universe as Hot Stuff and friends. Nothing like mixing your mythologies up. In any case, Cupid hexes Hot Stuff's trident--or phallic symbol--known as "Old Forky," to become gay.

Gay anthropomorphic trident on display.

Unwanted Public Display of Affection.

Hot Stuff's gay trident attracts unwanted queer suitors.

Including a giant grape wearing an extremely fetching hair ribbon and spats.

But Cupid realizes his error and undoes his spell, whereupon all is "he-man" regular again. Even though Old Forky's first action upon reverting was to impale Hot Stuff's butt.

Yes, once there was a dance (or game, or contest) stupider than the macarena: the limbo. An excuse for uptight suburbanites to get loose. And, in 1961, Wham-O made a kit to facilitate doing the limbo. Read about it here.

Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid.

Paul Di Filippo
Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.